Young Gun Danny Plautz Takes
PWT Day One Lead at Bay de Noc
Escanaba, Michigan……The proudest person at the Outdoor Channel
Pro-Am day one weigh-in was Dan Plautz, father of Danny Plautz, PWT
tournament leader. They were both fishing Little and Big Bays de Noc,
but
young Danny, 22 years old, fishing his second season, landed four
walleyes
for 24.45 pounds.
Not far off the pace was the senior Plautz with 18 pounds, tied for
fifth place. He is also the 2003 In-Fisherman Professional Walleye
Trail
Champion, and a 3-time PWT winner. The Muskego, Wis. pair were part of
the
elite PWT field of top-ranked walleye anglers competing for nearly
$300,000.
The Outdoor Channel Pro-Am is the final qualifier of the 2004
season,
and all eyes are on the invitation list (to be announced Saturday) for
the
September Mercury Championship. The top 10 in the MotorGuide East
Division
will be named after the third day, as will the top 30 of those pros
fishing
all six tournaments. Mike Gofron, Antioch, Ill., was ranked Number One
in
the Angler of the Year race going out this morning. However, he
weighed
6.37 pounds, and Number Two pro Tommy Skarlis, Walker, Minn., scored
19.89
pounds.
Skarlis, currently in second place in the tournament and leading
the
Angler of the Year race said, The great thing about the PWT is that
it’s a
3-day event, and anything can happen. Jokingly, he said, Let’s
cancel the
tournament right now! Both Skarlis and Gofron are PWT winners this
season,
each winning more than $85,000. Angler of the Year pays $25,000, plus
Mercury pays an extra $10,000 bonus.
Skarlis is followed closely by Mark Christensen, also from Walker,
with
18.27 pounds. Freeland, Michigan pro John Gillman is fourth with 18.14
pounds. Charlie Johnson, Merrifield, Minn., is tied for fifth with two
fish
including Big Fish of the day, 10.66 pounds. The leading amateur is
Jeff
Ryan, Lake View, Iowa.
Many anglers struggled during the practice period due to severe
cold
fronts which dropped water temperatures about 15 degrees. Walleyes and
bait
fish were stunned, but became more active the day prior to the Pro-Am.
Danny Plautz said, I knew the fish were there, and they finally turned
on
today. I can hardly wait for Friday.
About one-third of the field fished rigs and spinners in Little Bay de
Noc
along the sand-breaks. The balance of the 120 boats headed south to
troll
secret GPS points as far away as the Cedar River area and shoals in Big
Bay
de Noc.
The weigh-in crowd was treated to nice weather and a fun-time
during the
stage festivities. The final two days of activities take place at
Escanaba
Municipal Marina Friday and Saturday starting at 3 p.m. A special
youth
fishing tournament is set for Saturday, with weigh-in and awards on the
PWT
stage.